Certain terms and services are relevant only to specific regions. However, there may be parallel or similar services that are offered in your specific region that you could seek out. The magnifying glass icon in the top right corner can also be used to find a term quickly.
Academic Instruction Plan (AIP)
An AIP is a document that must be developed for every claimed ELL student in September. ELL students who arrive at a school in September do not need to have an AIP developed until the following year. The document is typically developed by the ELL teacher who will be supporting the student. The AIP outlines what the student's ability currently is, and what their goals are for the coming year, in allignment with ELL standards. In certain circumstances a student may have both an AIP and an IEP.
Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS)
Refers to the basic communication skills a student needs to communicate on a day-to-day and social level. This language is context embedded. Critical for social and emotional well-being. More info.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC)
Recognizes individuals belonging to this group as being historically opressed and currently marginalized. Frequently ELL students also belong to this group.
Citizen
A student who is a Canadian Citizen is eligible for ELL funding, as long as they meet other criteria to be an ELL student.
Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP)
Refers to language used in an academic context, for developing content specific knowledge and learning. CALP is not context embeded, often abstract, and is often significantly more difficult to learn. More info.
English as a Second Dialect (ESD)
A term used to describe English speakers who have been exposed or are currently exposed to a dialect of English that differs significantly from the one in which they attend schooling in. These students may be "claimed," "funded," and receive support through the same department within the BC school system: The Department of Diversity and Inclusion.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
A term to describe ELL students. Has become less common in North America over time, as it does not reflect the fact that language learners may not be learning English as a second language.
Funded or Unfunded
Describes an ELL students status for receiving official support. Funded students are those that meet the criteria to be identified as ELL, and have had relevant paperwork submitted to their school district by the end of September. This secures additional funding to meet the demand of ELL students at that school. Unfunded ELL students are those that have joined the school after the September deadline and while they may still receive support, the school does not receive additional funding for these students.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
A term to describe ELL students. Has become less common in North America over time, as it does not reflect the fact that language learners may not be learning English as a second language.
English Language Learner (ELL)
English Language Learner.
Exchange Student
Despite these students often being technically ELL, they may not be "claimed" and "funded" through traditional ELL avenues. They are recognized as an "international student." This means that while an ELL teacher may be able to support this student to some extent, they may not officially support the student.
French Language Learner (FLL)
Less common in BC, but describes the equivalent ELL student who is learning English instead of French.
Landed Immigrant
What is now referred to as a Permanent Resident (PR). Eligible for ELL funding in BC.
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Document developed for exceptional students that may include specific learning goals, expected outcomes, instruction, assessment, and other services that differ from those otherwise set out for that student's peers.
Inter-Cultural Association of Victoria (ICA)
"For more than fifty years, the Inter-Cultural Association’s purpose has been to support the full integration of newcomer immigrants and refugees into the social, economic and civic life of the Capital Region of British Columbia." More info.
Immersion
Students experiencing schooling that is additivive in nature to their language skills and both respects and utilizes aspects of their first language. Contrast with Submersion.
Multi-Lingual Language Learner (MLL)
Less common, but describes a student who may be learning or have learned more than one language. For example, a student that communicates with a parent that speaks French, a parent that speaks Dutch, and attends school in English.
Permanent Resident (PR)
Permanent Resident. Eligible for ELL funding in BC.
Push-In & Pull-out Support
Describes the type of service the ELL student receives. Push-in support means the ELL teacher enters the classroom, and supports the ELL student there. Push-in support can mean team teaching with the classroom teacher, working with small groups within the class, or supporting the student individually with the classroom activity. Pull-out support means the ELL teacher removes the ELL student from their regular classroom. Pull-out support can mean: working individually with an ELL student on specific skills, having ELL students from different classes but of similar language levels work in a small group together, having ELL students from different classes but of similar cultures work together, or other small grouping.
Refugee
Eligible for ELL funding, but may have difficulty securing funding initially as documents and paperwork can be slow to process. These students should still receive ELL support as needed or possible upon arrival to a school even if they are not yet "funded" or "claimed."
Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS Worker)
Local term to describe an employee of the Inter-Cultural Association of Victoria (ICA) that operates as a support service for other aspects of an ELL student's life, helping them integrate and settle into a new school. More info.
Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS Worker)
Local term to describe an employee of the Inter-Cultural Association of Victoria (ICA) that operates as a support service for other aspects of an ELL student's life, helping them integrate and settle into a new school. More info.
Silent Period
The period of time after resettlement in which an ELL student may produce very little or no language. The silent period is considered a normal part of language acquisition, but may not be present.
Submersion
Language acquisition teaching model that does not take a students first language into consideration or promote continued growth of the first language. Contrast with Immersion.
Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees (VICCIR)
"VICCIR's principal activity is to provide mental health counselling to immigrants and refugees living on Vancouver Island." More info.
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Center (VIRCS)
"The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS) is a non-profit organization founded in November 1989 by three former refugees. VIRCS helps immigrants, refugees and new Canadian citizens, to settle and adapt into their new lives in the Greater Victoria Region.
The multicultural staff annually serves more than 3,000 immigrants, refugees, new Canadian citizens, and visible minorities. VIRCS provides a wide range of holistic services." More info.
